MICHELLE SINGLETARY: Tips on how to outlast the budget crisis

Published: Sunday, October 13, 2013 at 3:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Friday, October 11, 2013 at 6:20 p.m.

WASHINGTON | A deal might be struck soon on the federal debt ceiling, but I wanted to help ease some of your fears. I asked experts to address some key questions.

Q: Should I be worried about my money?

A: Stephen Brobeck, executive director of Consumer Federation of America: “At this point, I don’t think it’s productive for consumers to worry greatly about their personal funds. Big investors around the world are concerned, but I still think House Republican leaders will act to avoid default. And consumers should remember that the key financial services regulatory agencies, including the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. and its insurance funds that protect consumer bank deposits, do not depend on federal funding. However, even if default is avoided, consumers should be very concerned about the impact of continued congressional use of default, and government shutdowns, on their incomes and investments. The resulting erosion of investor and consumer confidence could well halt our slow recovery from the Great Recession.”

Q: Really, the money in my bank account is protected? Even in the event of a government default?

A: Chris Horymski, associate editor for Consumer Reports: “We’ve been advising the same, long-term passive investing approach as always, precisely because of events like these. Staying diversified among asset classes, which means owning both stocks and bonds, and not trying to guess the outcome of whatever happens in Washington, is usually the best course of action.”

Q: Is there anything I should do about my retirement plan? I’m scared.

A: Don Blandin, president and chief executive of the Investor Protection Trust: “The evidence from recent market downturns is clear. Investors who panicked on bad news and took their money out ended up returning too late to realize profits when the markets bounced back. The real danger of ‘overreacting’ is not at the moment of crisis — it’s days, weeks or months later when the market comes back and you are still sitting on the sidelines with your cash.

“The best solution for long-term investors is to stop obsessing about day-in, day-out ups and downs. You are much better off buckling in for the long haul.

What should I do if I’m near retirement?

Valerie Coleman Morris, author of “It’s Your Money So Take It Personally” and a financial literacy specialist: “Be vigilant. Don’t loan money. Put your financial oxygen masks on and breathe. Time is not on your side for recovery, so have a personal ceiling on your spending and lending.”

Q: What should I do if I’m living off my retirement savings now?

A: Gerri Walsh, Financial Industry Regulatory Authority’s senior vice president for investor education: “Staying diversified is also important in retirement.” But, Walsh says, in your quest to boost returns, don’t turn to complex or alternative investments and take risks you “either do not understand or cannot afford. If investors do not fully understand the leverage and other risk and reward features of a complex investment, they should stop right there. A good general rule is never invest in products you do not understand.”

<p>WASHINGTON | A deal might be struck soon on the federal debt ceiling, but I wanted to help ease some of your fears. I asked experts to address some key questions.</p><p> </p><p>Q: Should I be worried about my money?</p><p>A: Stephen Brobeck, executive director of Consumer Federation of America: “At this point, I don't think it's productive for consumers to worry greatly about their personal funds. Big investors around the world are concerned, but I still think House Republican leaders will act to avoid default. And consumers should remember that the key financial services regulatory agencies, including the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. and its insurance funds that protect consumer bank deposits, do not depend on federal funding. However, even if default is avoided, consumers should be very concerned about the impact of continued congressional use of default, and government shutdowns, on their incomes and investments. The resulting erosion of investor and consumer confidence could well halt our slow recovery from the Great Recession.”</p><p>Q: Really, the money in my bank account is protected? Even in the event of a government default?</p><p>A: The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp.: “Yes. Deposit insurance will continue to protect the insured deposits of bank customers.” To learn more, visit www.fdic.gov. When you go to the site, search: “Are my deposits insured?”</p><p>Q: Should I be doing something different with my investments?</p><p>A: Chris Horymski, associate editor for Consumer Reports: “We've been advising the same, long-term passive investing approach as always, precisely because of events like these. Staying diversified among asset classes, which means owning both stocks and bonds, and not trying to guess the outcome of whatever happens in Washington, is usually the best course of action.”</p><p>Q: Is there anything I should do about my retirement plan? I'm scared.</p><p>A: Don Blandin, president and chief executive of the Investor Protection Trust: “The evidence from recent market downturns is clear. Investors who panicked on bad news and took their money out ended up returning too late to realize profits when the markets bounced back. The real danger of 'overreacting' is not at the moment of crisis — it's days, weeks or months later when the market comes back and you are still sitting on the sidelines with your cash.</p><p>“The best solution for long-term investors is to stop obsessing about day-in, day-out ups and downs. You are much better off buckling in for the long haul.</p><p> What should I do if I'm near retirement?</p><p>Valerie Coleman Morris, author of “It's Your Money So Take It Personally” and a financial literacy specialist: “Be vigilant. Don't loan money. Put your financial oxygen masks on and breathe. Time is not on your side for recovery, so have a personal ceiling on your spending and lending.”</p><p>Q: What should I do if I'm living off my retirement savings now?</p><p>A: Gerri Walsh, Financial Industry Regulatory Authority's senior vice president for investor education: “Staying diversified is also important in retirement.” But, Walsh says, in your quest to boost returns, don't turn to complex or alternative investments and take risks you “either do not understand or cannot afford. If investors do not fully understand the leverage and other risk and reward features of a complex investment, they should stop right there. A good general rule is never invest in products you do not understand.”</p><p>Michelle Singletary is a columnist for The Washington Post.</p>